How to Clean Printed Circuit Boards

Dust and dirt on circuit boards in computers and other electronic equipment can cause shorts and cause your equipment to fail to work properly. Cleaning a circuit board that's developed a layer of dirt is a simple way to attack problems that may be caused by dirt and dust buildup.

Things You'll Need

• Compressed air source
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Disconnect the power and open the case of your computer or other electronics equipment. Examine the circuit board for any batteries and remove them. If there is a battery on the circuit board, it will usually be a flat, disc-style battery, like those used for watches. The battery can be pulled or gently pried out.

2. Use compressed air to blow away any dust and debris that may be on the circuit board. You can use an air compressor, or compressed air in a can (see additional resources)

3. Accumulated grime can be tackled by dipping a cotton swap into rubbing alcohol and gently rubbing at the dirty areas. Be careful not to dislodge any electronic components when you're doing this.

4. Allow any moisture from the alcohol to dry and replace the cover(s) on your gear.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevention is the best medicine -- keep your gear out of dusty and dirty areas as much as possible. If your equipment has cooling fans, keep the intakes clear of dirt and dust.

References

• Repairing and Upgrading Your PC; Robert Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson; 2009

Resources

• Compressed air in a can